Winter tire damage calls to AAA up 10 percent from last year

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - If potholes are any measure, it's been a hard winter in Virginia.

The Triple A reports that it responded to nearly 9,000 tire-related calls in January and February, up 10 percent from those two months in 2013.

The Triple A Mid-Atlantic says the snow and cold have created vehicle-jarring potholes on road surfaces around Virginia. In February alone, the auto club fielded nearly 4,000 calls from drivers who blew a tire or reported other damage because of potholes.

The Triple A advised motorists to slow down so they can detect and avoid potholes.